F1 Teams Await Decision on Bahrain, Saudi Arabia Races After Middle East War

A decision on the running of both April events is anticipated to come by early next week.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 1:50pm

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Formula 1 teams continue to await a decision on the running of the upcoming races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with a call anticipated by early next week. The events have been thrown into doubt by the unfolding conflict in the Middle East, prompting the FIA to cancel its World Endurance Championship sports car event in Qatar. No decision has yet been communicated to F1's 11 teams, but it is anticipated to arrive by early next week following this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

Why it matters

The running of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races is in jeopardy due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, raising concerns about the safety and viability of holding the events. This decision will have significant implications for the 2026 F1 season, as cancellation of the races would leave a five-week gap in the calendar and reduce the total number of races.

The details

F1 is currently scheduled to hold its fourth and fifth rounds of the 2026 season in Bahrain (Apr. 12) and Saudi Arabia (Apr. 19), but the running of both events has been thrown into doubt by the unfolding conflict in the Middle East. The FIA, F1's governing body, has already canceled its World Endurance Championship sports car event in Qatar that was scheduled for later this month. Teams have left some freight at the Bahrain circuit which they are currently unable to access, and the UK Foreign Office has advised against 'all but essential' travel to Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia.

  • The decision on the running of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races is anticipated to come by early next week.
  • The cut-off for more freight being sent to the Bahrain International Circuit is just 20 miles from a United States army base that was targeted by Iranian strikes earlier this month.

The players

Stefano Domenicali

The CEO and president of Formula 1, who remains in close contact with authorities in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, as well as the promoters of the races, about the viability of any event going ahead.

Lewis Hamilton

The seven-time F1 world champion who drives for Ferrari, and has expressed faith in the right call being made on the running of the races.

Ayao Komatsu

The Haas F1 chief, who says the teams need to know this week for sure whether the races will be taking place, as they have left some freight at the Bahrain circuit which they are currently unable to access.

Mike Krack

The chief trackside officer of Aston Martin, who suggests that teams had to remain open in their plans for any eventualities, but said there was confidence in F1 and the FIA to 'make the right decision' over the races.

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What they’re saying

“I know that Stefano will do what's right for all of us and the sport. That's the great thing with having a good leader like him.”

— Lewis Hamilton (nytimes.com)

“Honestly the sooner (we know), the better. I'm sure obviously F1 is dealing with things that I'm not aware of. I don't know. But obviously as a team, the sooner we know, the better. We've got to know this week for sure. I'm sure we will.”

— Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 chief (nytimes.com)

“I think F1 teams are very flexible organisations that are quite reactive. So we will deal with whatever is being decided, and I am sure that the correct decision will be made.”

— Mike Krack, Chief trackside officer of Aston Martin (nytimes.com)

What’s next

A decision on the running of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races is anticipated to come by early next week.

The takeaway

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has thrown the viability of the upcoming Bahrain and Saudi Arabia F1 races into doubt, highlighting the challenges the sport faces in navigating geopolitical tensions and ensuring the safety of teams and personnel. The decision on whether these events will proceed will have significant implications for the 2026 F1 calendar.